The Tampa Bay Lightning (35-25-6) defeated the New York Rangers (43-19-4) 6-3 on Thursday night at Amalie Arena.
Brayden Point had a hat trick and three assists to lead the Lightning with a career-high six points. Nikita Kucherov added five points as the Lightning pulled away from the Rangers in the third period.
Trailing 3-2 in the third period, Brayden Point tied the game 3-3 at the 3:41 mark of the third. Steven Stamkos scored to break the tie, before Brayden Point's hat trick goal made it 5-3. Kucherov's empty net goal made it 6-3, which would prove to be the final scoore.
Andrei Vasilevskiy went 25-of-28 in net for the Lightning, while Igor Shesterkin went 22-of-27 in net for the Rangers.
The Lightning now go on the road for the next five games, which includes a western swing next week. Before then, the road trip begins in Sunrise against the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Puck drop from Sunrise between the Lightning and Panthers is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Saturday evening.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES